**Please note: As of April 24, 2026, this service advisory has been cancelled as physician coverage was secured.
Athabasca County has received the following notice from Alberta Health Services:
Athabasca Healthcare Centre’s Emergency Department will not have physician coverage on the following dates, but will have Virtual Emergency Physician (VEP) coverage:
6 p.m., Thursday, April 23 to 6 a.m., Friday, April 24
6 p.m., Saturday, April 25 to 6 a.m., Sunday, April 26
This is a temporary measure due to a lack of available clinical personnel and an inability to secure locum coverage.
Nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage and assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities. EMS will also remain available in the community to ensure access to emergency services.
Virtual Emergency Physician coverage may be available for all or part of this service advisory. The Virtual Emergency Physician program uses an experienced ED physician to remotely temporarily support facilities.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. Residents are also reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
